Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative center behind Disney’s theme parks, resorts, cruise ships and our other family entertainment experiences, turned 60 this week. Originally established to conceive, plan and build Disneyland, Walt’s “backyard laboratory” now comprises 1,400 Imagineers who carry on a great legacy and commitment to bringing our iconic stories and characters to life in ways that constantly surprise and delight our guests. It’s incredible to think that what began as a small team in a few buildings in Burbank was the genesis of all of our travel and leisure businesses across the globe.

Whether it is the launch of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, the unveiling of New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park or the reopening of Disney California Adventure park with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, it is quite clear that the imaginative spirit of Disney Parks is as strong as ever. With new experiences planned at all of our destinations, including Shanghai Disney Resort, our Imagineers continue to be a cornerstone for creativity and innovation across all of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

And 60 years later, we feel like we’re just getting started. Please join all of us at Disney Parks in celebrating 60 incredible years of dreaming and delivering the most magical and memorable experiences in the world.

Tagged: DLR, Imagineers, Video, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier today, we celebrated a milestone event at the Walt Disney World Resort as we took guests beyond the walls of Cinderella Castle and officially welcomed them to New Fantasyland. It was a star-studded morning with Ginnifer Goodwin from ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” American Idol’s Jordin Sparks and Mickey Mouse helping us do the honors as we marked the grand opening of the largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom Park history.

New Fantasyland gives guests the chance to step into the worlds of some of our most beloved animated films of all time, including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. That’s why it was so exciting to have Disney Animation legends Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Jo Anne Worley, Ron Clements and John Musker on hand for the ceremony, as well.

This expansion represents countless hours of work by thousands of Imagineers and cast members, who together are taking Disney storytelling to a whole new level. The results are spectacular and a true testament to the talent of this extraordinary team.

Walt Disney once said that Disneyland, and by extension all of our parks, would never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world. That was a promise he made to all of our guests. At the same time, he was charging all of us at Disney Parks to stay true to our legacy of creating experiences that bring our characters and stories to life, helping friends and families make memories that last a lifetime.

I think it’s clear from the stunning work that has gone into every aspect of New Fantasyland that there is still plenty of imagination left in our world.

Tagged: Gallery, MK, New Fantasyland, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

From flying over Never Land to taking a spin in a tea cup, Fantasyland has been home to some of our guests’ favorite experiences at Walt Disney World Resort since opening day. So when we set out to reinvent the most popular land at our most popular Disney destination, we knew that it had to be something truly spectacular – and I’m proud to say that New Fantasyland is exactly that.

Last Friday, I toured the construction site as we complete the finishing touches for our official opening on December 6, and while the entire expansion is extraordinary, there are a few aspects in particular that I think will be huge hits with our guests.

Part of what makes Disney Parks so special is our ability to connect people with the Disney characters and stories they love. With Enchanted Tales with Belle, we’re doing that in a magical new way. Guests will enter Belle’s cottage, step through an enchanted mirror and be transported to the world of “Beauty and the Beast,” where they’ll help Lumiere, Belle and The Wardrobe recreate “the tale as old as time” by becoming part of the story themselves. Our Imagineers have brought these characters to life in ways that are sure to delight guests both young and old.

One of the hallmarks of a great Disney experience is the meticulous attention to detail that goes into the worlds we create, and the queue for Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid is another fantastic example of “the more you look, the more you see.” Before taking a voyage under the sea with Ariel and her friends, guests can explore the caves and grottos in and around Prince Eric’s castle, interacting playfully with Scuttle and a few of his friends along the way. The rockwork that’s been done is spectacular, and the paintings that adorn the vaults beneath the castle help draw visitors to New Fantasyland even further into the story of the beloved animated film.

One of the most gratifying aspects of this expansion is the way that our new attractions, entertainment, merchandise and food offerings all come together to create a singular experience that is a worthy addition to a park as iconic as Magic Kingdom Park. The result is only possible through the hard work and the collaboration from people across Disney Parks and Resorts, and I am extremely proud of what they have accomplished. We can’t wait to take guests beyond the walls of Cinderella Castle to discover the new stories, new adventures and new magic that will help them make shared memories that last a lifetime.


Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and follow @WaltDisneyWorld on Twitter for the latest on New Fantasyland. While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtag #NewFantasyland.

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

In a spectacular ceremony last week at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, I was joined by key members of the Hong Kong Government as we unveiled Grizzly Gulch, a thrilling and distinctive new themed area that is the first experience of its kind at any of our parks around the world. Also with me for the opening event were Bill Ernest, President and Managing Director of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Asia, and Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering.

The second – and largest – area of our multiyear expansion, Grizzly Gulch transports guests to a Wild West mining town that recalls a golden era of hope, adventure and opportunity.

The miners who founded the town back in 1888 did so unknowingly on land with natural springs, resulting in unpredictable geysers and fountains throughout the town that will surprise and delight our guests.

The centerpiece of Grizzly Gulch is our E-ticket attraction, The Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. With an innovative new ride system developed specifically for Hong Kong, Guests will take a thrilling adventure on a runaway train that goes forwards, backwards and crisscrosses in and around the entire area.

Grizzly Gulch joins Toy Story Land, the first of the new themed areas in our current expansion, which opened last November and has been a big hit with guests.

While we were in Hong Kong, Bill, Bruce, and I had a chance to do a walk-through of Mystic Point, the third and final component of the expansion, opening next spring.

With music by Danny Elfman, some of our most innovative storytelling ever, and a rich, beautiful setting, I feel confident that this third piece of our expansion will be an instant classic.

Once these three areas are complete, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will have expanded by roughly 25%, giving guests even more opportunities to create shared memories that will last a lifetime.

Check out these other posts about Hong Kong Disneyland Resort:

• Grizzly Gulch Grows Closer to Completion At Hong Kong Disneyland
• Hong Kong Disneyland’s Star Guest Program Returns Today
• Toy Story Land Officially Opens at Hong Kong Disneyland

Tagged: Gallery, Hong Kong Disneyland

Filed: Hong Kong Disneyland

Today, we celebrate a defining moment in the history of the Disneyland Resort: the Grand Reopening of Disney California Adventure park.

Cars Land and Buena Vista Street are the culmination of a five-year journey that has infused the park with more of our guests’ favorite characters and stories, more attractions and entertainment and more of the creative touches that make a Disney Parks experience truly unique.

These new areas are examples of what we do best — transporting guests to magical times and places where our characters and stories truly come to life. From the rockwork of the Ornament Valley Mountain Range to the hand-laid tile mosaics of the Carthay Circle Theatre, the level of artistry, craftsmanship and attention to detail is spectacular.

As you have seen here on the Disney Parks Blog over the last three days, the Disneyland Resort has hosted tons of media, celebrities and invited guests from around the world to give them an in-depth look at the transformation.

Today also marks the completion of an extraordinary period of expansion across the entire Disneyland Resort. Since 2007, we’ve completed major projects at both the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and have added more than 20 new attractions and shows.

At Disney California Adventure park alone, “World of Color,” Toy Story Mania!, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Silly Symphony Swings have already proven to be extremely popular, and now Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi’s Flying Tires and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree are exciting additions that give guests even more entertainment options.

I’d like to thank all of the Imagineers, cast members, artists, designers, builders and craftspeople who worked so tirelessly and collaboratively to make this remarkable transformation possible. I’d also like to thank all of you — our loyal guests — who have believed in our dream for Disney California Adventure park and supported us every step of the way.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Video

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

Yesterday, Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and I stepped behind the construction walls at Disney California Adventure park for a hard-hat tour of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, two of the most significant elements that will cap off our multi-year expansion of the park. Led by the extraordinary team of Imagineers working on this project, Bob and I were completely blown away by the level of artistry, creativity and attention to detail of the work done so far and can’t wait for all of our Disneyland Resort guests to finally experience it firsthand.

Our day started on Buena Vista Street where we rode the iconic Red Car Trolley, explored the storefronts that line the street and then continued on to the Carthay Circle Theatre, the new icon of Disney California Adventure park. This new entrance to the park will transport guests to a romantic, idealized version of 1920s Hollywood when Walt and Roy Disney first arrived in California to begin their careers as filmmakers. Buena Vista Street will be the perfect place for guests to shop and eat, watch the parade, or just sit and soak up the atmosphere.

Then we headed to Cars Land, and when we got to the entrance of this all-new, 12-acre land, Bob and I both stopped to simply take in the stunning view before us. From the majesty of the Ornament Valley Mountain Range in the distance to the craftsmanship of each of the buildings in Radiator Springs, Cars Land is going to be a truly spectacular addition to the park.

We wandered down Route 66 looking at all of the familiar hot spots from the films that are just about complete – Ramone’s House of Body Art, Flo’s V8 Café, the Cozy Cone Motel and Luigi’s Casa della Tires, just to name a few. We ended the tour with a test ride on two of the new attractions in Cars Land, Luigi’s Flying Tires and Radiator Springs Racers, which are both going to be huge hits with our guests.

As we approach the finish line of our expansion of Disney California Adventure park, I am extremely proud of the passion, creativity and innovation that have gone into this entire project over the last several years. When we’re done, this park will be a testament to what we at Disney Parks do best – connect our guests to the iconic stories, characters and music they love…making memories that will last a lifetime.

And now for some big news – I’m pleased to officially announce that the grand opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre will take place on June 15, 2012! Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details.

Tagged: DCA, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

It’s hard to believe it was just over a year ago that we launched the Disney Dream. And yet here we are, marking another significant Disney Cruise Line milestone – the christening of the Disney Fantasy.

During a star-studded celebration in New York Harbor last night, Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and I were joined by the ship’s godmother, Mariah Carey, and of course, Mickey Mouse, to do the honors and officially welcome this stunning new ship into the Disney family. As if Mariah and Mickey weren’t enough star power, Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Patrick Harris and Nick Cannon were also on-hand to help us commemorate this momentous occasion.

Now that the ship has been christened, the Disney Fantasy and her phenomenal cast and crew will head south to the ship’s new home in Port Canaveral to prepare for the upcoming Maiden Voyage on March 31.

Building the Disney Fantasy truly was a labor of love. As with the Disney Dream, our Imagineers worked closely with the team at Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany to construct this spectacular addition to our fleet, one that builds on the creativity, innovation and artistry that are hallmarks of the Disney Cruise Line. I’d like to again thank the thousands of Imagineers, designers, artists and craftspeople who worked so tirelessly for more than two years to bring the Disney Fantasy to life.

The Fantasy has some favorite elements from the Disney Dream, like the AquaDuck and our enchanted artwork. And since guests aboard the Fantasy will spend more time with us on longer, seven-night itineraries, our Imagineers mixed in some new magic, like our two new Broadway-style shows, “Disney’s Wishes” and “Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” and the AquaLab, a brand-new water play area for the entire family.

With the addition of the Disney Fantasy, our fleet of ships has doubled – giving us the ability to offer more destinations and flexibility to our guests around the world than ever before. But more importantly, it gives us the opportunity to do what we do best… connecting friends and families to the Disney stories, characters and music they love to help make memories that last a lifetime.

Tagged: DCL, Disney Fantasy

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disney Cruise Line